The problem is not unique to this year's Crimson squad. Last year's team was outscored 378-199 from the foul line, while the 1982-83 cagers suffered from a 386-275 deficit.

One cause which you can rule out is accuracy. The Cantabs have such 60.3 percent of their free throws this year, while their opponents have shot a 63.1 percent rate.

That difference would account for about a 17-free-throw advantage for the opposition, far below the actual total of 154.

No, the hoopsters are just going to the line less often than their opponents, 226 fewer times to be exact.

The reason lies, instead, in the Harvard offense, which is largely geared towards outside shooting.

Instead of working the ball inside, a strategy which invariably produces more free throw opportunities, the Crimson actually away from the outside.

All four of the cagers' main frontcourt players--Anna Collins, Sharon Hayes, woody Joseph, and Beth Chandler--are strongest away from the basket. And all except Chandler rarely score from the lane except an offensive rebounds.

In fact, guard Barb keffer leads the team in free throw attempts (62), something a guard rarely does.

And even though the team is connecting in a record 43.1 percent of its field goal attempts, it doesn't shoot well enough from the outside to depend completely on long-range shots.

As the stats seem to prove.

Advice and analysis which can be taken or left as you please.

But from now on, when I tap my forehead in response to the question, you'll know that I really do know the answer. Or, at least, I think I know it.

Fool's paradise.